Display-board structure



Sept. 28 1926,

1 w.- A. LEU El AL DISPLAY BOARD STRUCTURE Irul' I 94471122172 A. [an

3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed June 4. 1924 F? l'az/ard 12.11 V24 Sept. 28 1926. v

- W. A. LEU El' AL DISPLAY BOARD STRUCTURE Filed June 4-; 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 mam wmuuugl Faubra zazd . v V $24 i w Sept. 28 1926.

I W. A. LEU El AL DISPLAY BOARD STRUCTURE Filed June 4. 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 assistance of skilled labor.

Patented Sept. 28, 192%.

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WILLIAM A. LEU AND ED'WABJD E. LETL'OF OI-EICAGO, ILLINOIS.

DISPLAY-BGARD STRUCTURE.

Application filed June 1,

The present invention relates to display board structures which are capable of varied use. Such structures commonly have a large flat display surface or board mounted on a flat frame which is supported by legs and braces connected with posts or other anchoring means in or upon the ground, buildings or other structures.

Que object of the invention is to provide a main frame of such construction and rangement that it may be shipped in knocked down condition and then readily assembled at the point of use without the Preferably, the main frame ismade up of sections wherein angle iron is used for. uprights and then the sections are secured together by transverse rods. Another object'is to provide backing for the main frame which although made up of sections has water proof joints so that is used with enclosed display frames such as disclosed in our prior Patent No. 1,557,260, granted October 13, 1925, on application Serial No. 693.447 filed February 1 l c 18, 192-1, a well protecting, weather proof structure is provided. These backing sections are preferably metal sheets and their joints are made by folding the adjacent edges back upon themselves and then interleaving the folds. Another object is to provide readily adjustable bracing whereby the structure may be quickly and. yetfirmly set up on ground of regular or irregular contour. This bracing includes novel arrangements of telescoping braces and rods of varying adjustments.

Theseand other objects and r our invention will be more fully nude upon reference to the following detailed de scription taken in connection with th compunyiug drawings, and the scope o invention will be fully appended claims.

In said drawings 1 is a w of a display board struciu certain features oft-he preeu feat our pointed ut in the tion; 2 is a transverse section of the same taken on a plane indicated by the. line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a partial vertical section of one of the supporting legs of the structure secures. to its suppo which. in turn threaded into its post; J. is a perspettire view of the screw emin the structure of 5 is ilar to Fig. 3 illustrating and a connected brace;

a up

lLS screw,

1924. Serial No. 717,889.

is a perspective view of the screw employed in the structure of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a modified leg and screw in connected relation; Fig. 8 is a partial sectional view illustrating a further modified leg and screw structure Fig. '9 is a perspective view of a modified brace and screw in connected relation; Fig. 10 is a plan view of two bracing members showing the hook and slot connection by which the two are united; Fig. 11 is a section of the same taken on a plane indicated by the line 1111 of Fig. 10; Fig. 12-is a rear view of a structure similar to that of Fig. 1 but showing somewhat longer legs and our improved backing and a modified system of bracing; Fig. 13 is a partial vertical section of one of the braces of the structure of Fig. 12, the plane of section being indicated by the line 18-13 of Fig. 12; Fig. 1 1 is a detail section of the braces of F i 12 taken at the point where they cross each other, the plane of section being indicated by the line 141 l of Fig. 12; F in. 15 is a partial sectional view of a connection at the lower end of the central bracesof the structure of Fig. 12, the plane of section being indicated by the line 15-15 of Fig. 12; Fig. 16 is a perspective view of one of the coupling members used in the bracing system of F 12; and 17 is a section through the backing. the section being taken on the line 17-17 of Fig. 12. Throughout these views like characters refer to like parts. i

Referring to the drawings in detail, 20, 21, 22,23, 2 1 and 25 designate uprights of the main frame structure. These uprights are composed of angle iron, as clearly illustrated. The end members 20 and are extended so as to provide legs 26 and 27. All these uprights have flanges which lie in the same plane, and other flanges which extend outwardly from that plane. hen assembled, the outstanding flanges of the members 21 and 22 abut against each other, and in like manner the corresponding flanges of members 23 and 24 abut against each other. In the preferred construction, the members 20 and 21 form the sides of a section. The

other members of the section are the strip 28 planar flanges of the members 20 and 21. As clearly shown, the member 28 is near the top of the section, and the member 29 is at the bottom of the same. The connection of the member 29 to the members 20 and 21 may be made in any preferred way, just in the case of the member 28. The central section of the frame is made up of the members 22 and L3, and an upper member 30 and a lower member 31. These members are secured in the same way as the members of the previously described section. Similarly, the third section comprises the upright members 24, 25, the upper member 32 and the lower angle bar The members of this section are secured together in the same manner as the members of the first described section. It will be noted that the members 28, 30 and 32 are aligned, and in like manner members 29, 31 and 33 are in aligned relation. The outstanding flanges upon the various upright members are apertured at both their upper and lower ends, A rod 3% extends through the apertures at the upper ends and is provided with threaded ends and cooperating nuts 35. In like manner a rod 36 extends through the apertures in the uprights just beneath the angle bar members 29, 31 and 33, and is similarly pro ided with threaded ends and cooperating nuts 37. By screwing the nuts and 37 upon their respective rods, the various sections of the main frame are forced together. For shipping purposes, the frame may be knocked down by removing the rods 3st and 3 This leaves the three sections as separate units, and they may be so shipped. If bolts are used to join the different members of the sections. each section may be further knocked down by removing the bolts, and then the various members which go to make up the sections can be shipped as bars and rods. In either case, whether shipped as sections or shipped as bars and rods, it is pos sible to produce a compact package or bundle for shipment.

The main frame may be variously braced. In ordinary practice, it is set up so as to occupy a vertical plane, or one closely approaching the vertical. Two systems of bracing are illustrated, one being that of Fig. 1 and the other that of Fig. 12. In the former of these, the main bracing members 38 and 39 are secured at their forward ends to the members 20 and 25 at points well up toward the upper ends of these members and their rear ends extend down to the ground or support upon which the structure is mounted. In association with these main braces 38 and 39, we also preferably employ two cross braces 40 and LL These are conneeted together at their center and at their opposite ends to the main braces 38 and 39, as clearly illustrated. It is also preferable to employ auxiliary braces 42 and 43 which extend between the main braces 38 and 39 and the main frame members 29 and re spectively. Obviously, these various braces should be connected to the main frame and to each other in such a manner that they may be readily disconnected for shipping purposes and then again connected when the structure set up.

Ordinarily, such connections would he made by bolts and nuts. However. we have illustrated in Figs. 10 and ll a preferred connection for use between the main braces 38 and 39 on the one hand, and the upper ends of the cross braces 4-0 and ll on the other. As clearly shown in these figures, the main brace 39 is provided with an elongated opening 4% which of such size as to readily pass the hook 45 upon the end of the memb *r 11 when the latter is pre;-:r-nted in the dotted line position of Fig. 10. Once the hook l5 has been passed through the opening ll, the member ll may he moved to the full line position of Fig. '10. lVhen in this position, the inside of the end of the hook bears firmly against a side of the hole let which forms a seat for the hook. When the parts are in the full line posit'on of Fig. 10, the member -ll is locked against remo al from the member 39. This form of connection used not only to connect members 39 and 41 but also memlz s 53.3 and 4L0. When the cross braces l and ll have their hooks properly seated in the members 33 and then they may be secured together at the point of intersecrimi and secured to the braces 39 and. 355 respectively, at their lower ends by means of bolts and nuts. rrlthough this form of connection has been restricted 'n the lirst *..l of ln'acing-that of Fig. lto the particular members mentioned. yet it will be understood that the same m ght be employed in connecting other members of the strm ture together. Finch uses will rem .1:- gest themselves to work rs in this art. it this point it may also he stated that the same form ofconneetion '5 used in the bracing system of Fig. 12 in connerti the similar members 38 and ll; on the one side and 39 and 4-1 on the other.

Ordinarily, the main frame and its sup porting bracing will he set on the ground. In such case we arrange s3 supports for the frame legs anrl the l: ends of the man bracing m mbers 'ihes-r' include posts at) which are externally spirally grooved and pointed so as to be dily screwed into the ground. Each post is pr vided near its upper end with a turns-terse opening 14:7 through which a bar may zxe passed for use in screwing down the nos-t. Each post is provided with a central bore i 1 extending (town from its upper enu an:- term nating in a threaded DOX'tZIFD l3 near its lower end. This threaded bore is proiii) llo

vided for the insertion of an adjusting screw to which the leg or brace is to be connected. In the case'of those legs, such as the legs 26 and 27 of the structure of Fig. 1 andthe corresponding legs 26 and 27 of the structure of Fig. 12, which have in each instance two flanges, we employ a screw 49 having an angular opening 50, into which the foot of the leg, for example, the leg 26, is to be seated. The screw 49 is provided with a head 51 and shank 52, the

; latter being provided with threads 53 WfllCll the latter.

cooperate with the threads 48 in the post 46 when the screw has been screwed into After the post 46 has been se and the screw 49 screwed down into it the required distance, the endof the leg, for example, the leg 26, is passed into the opening 50 and finally brought to its proper position. \Vhen so set, a screw 54, engaging with a threaded transverse opening in the screw head51, passes through an opening 56 in the lower end of the leg and firmly holds it'in place. By this construction the leg and screw are firmly attached to each other. In the caseof the screw which is to housed at the lower end of the main braces 38 and 39, we must employ one, designated 57, which has a different opening for the supporting member which it engages and to which it is to be secured. As clearly illustrated, screw 57 has a head and shank which are similar to those of the screw 49. The head, however, is provided with an opening 58 which takes the form of a slot extending completely across the head. This different construction is necessitated by reasonof the shape of the braces 38 and 39. In this instance the screw which holds the brace and screw 57 together serves as a pivot about which the member 38; may be rotated through a considerable are. This is to allow for adjustment of the brace at different angles to suit different elevations and conditions ofthe ground upon which the structure is being set up.

In practice, the posts46 are first screwed into the ground, then the screws 49 and 57 are screwed into the appropriate posts, and adjusted by screwing them more or less into the posts, as may be required to give the proper elevations. Then the legs and braces are connected to the screws and the structure is in final position, fully set up and properly braced.

Obviously, instead of having the lower end of the legs 26 and 27, or 26 and 27 reduced so as to leave two angularly dis posed flanges, requiring the angular opening 50 in the screw 49, we may cut away one of the flanges so as to provice the modified leg 26*, shown in Fig. 7, and then pro vide the screw 49 with an opening 59 which extends into the top of the head and occupies but a single plane.

Again, instead of running the end upright members 20 and 25 down beyond the transverse members 29, 31 and 33, so as to provide legs, we may terminate the end member at the level of the members29, 31 and 33, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 8, where the upright member 25 terminates at the level of the transverse member 33, and then provide a separate leg 60 in the form of a rod or pipe threaded into an opening in. a casting 61 firmly secured to the outstanding flange of the associated transverse member 33, or 29, by any suitable means, as by screws 62, and in such case the leg 66 would cooperate as before with a screw 63 similar to the screws 49 and 57, but having a detachable head in the form of a sleeve 64, which is secured to the shank of the screw by a transverse screw 65 entending through a threaded opening in the sleeve and an opening in the shank of the screw 63. The means for connecting this screw 63 to the leg 60 is furnished in the instance illustrated by the same sleeve 64 and a screw 66 extending through a threaded opening in the sleeve and an opening in the leg 60. With this construction, the rod 36 of the structure of Fig. 1 would be replaced by a shorter rod 67,which' would extend only far enough to take in the out standing flanges of the members 23 and 24 on the one hand, and of the members 21 and 22 on the other, as clearly indicated in Fig. 8. in this instance, nuts 68 upon the ends of the rod 67 would be used to draw the different sections together;

As a further modification, the mainbraces 38 and 39 may be modified to have the shape of the brace 69, as illustrated in Fig. 9, and then the screw 49, having the angular opening 50, may be used in the rear posts 46.

Obviously, the frame structure which we have devised may be used to support any sort of displaydevice. In some instances we may mount upon the samethe display frames of our prior Patent No. 1,557 ,260, previously referred to. in such case we preferably locate a backing 76 upon the rear of the frame members, as clearly shown in Fi 12. Preferabl the backing 70 is b ./7 a

composed of a plurality of sections. In the present instance, three sections, designated 71, 72 and 73 are employed. The backing is thus divided into sections so as to enable the same to be shipped in a knocked down condition and then assembled at the point of installation. The adjacent edges of the backing sections are bent back upon themselves and the resulting folds interleaved. This structure is illustrated more particularly in Fig. 17 where the section 72 is bent back-to form a fold 74 and the section 73 is bent back to form a fold 75. The folds 74 and 75 are interleaved as there clearly shown, and a bolt 76 is passed through aligned openings in the overlapping portions of the sections and folds, and the same are firmly held together by an associated nut screwed down upon the end ol the bolt. Jlny desired number of bolts 76 and associated nuts may be employed and they may be variously located, one arrange.- ment being shown particularly in Fig. 1:4. Where the sections are thus assembles and secured they make a solid back which i turn is secured to the '1 rious members oi the frame in any suitable way, as by means of the bolts 7?. is clearly shown, these bolts connect the be .ck to the irame members 20, 21, 23, 2t, 25, 2a, 31, and They too may vary in nmnbe and may be variously located, an illustration being furnished by the arrangement in \Vhen assembling the structure, it will no apparentthat the backing 70 may be put in place upon the vertical "frame members either before or after the bracing members are put in place, it the bracing system of Fig. 1 is used. If. however, the bracing system of Fig. 12 is used, then obviously the backing 7O mus be put in place before the bracing members are attached to the main frame.

In the structure of Fig. 12, we hate shown the same frame arrangement as in the structure of 1, but have made the legs 26 and 27 somewhat longer than the corresponding legs 26 and 27 of the structure of Fig. 1. In this instance, we have also supplen'ientet. the bracing ot the "frame vith a t'ansverse bar 78 which is bolted, or otherwise secured, at its opposite ends to the legs 26 and 27. In this instance, the lcgs 26 and 27 have the same angular termination .s the legs 26 and 2?, and are eated in and secur d to the scrws d9 and posts'l in the same way.

The bracing ot the structure of Fig. 12 (liters somewhat from that of the structure of Fig. 1. The main bracing members 38 and 39 correspond gene ally to the members 3 and St. in like mann r, the members 4:0 and. 4:1 correspond generally to the similarly disposed members 40 and ll upon the previously described str icturc. is before noted, the hook and eye connection of Fig. 10 is used to connect the upper ends of the tie rods 4:0 and 4-- to the upper sections 38 and, 89 of the main bIClClll; 1' 111(?H1l)GlS and 39 respectively. The rods l0 and 41 are flattened out at their upper ends. and given a hook shape so as to properly engage the openings in the laterally extending flanges of the sections 38 and 39. The upper end of the section has one flail ut and the other flange extended verticall v so as to fit against the rear ot the b; claing section 73. A bolt 79 and associated nut serve to secure the upper end t the section 38 to the backing section 73 and the adjacent t 'ame member 20. The upper section 39 ot the main b acing member 239 similarly shaped and secured to the backing and main frame.

The bracing member 38' is provided with 1 lower section 353. This section is curved at its lower end and terminates in a downwardly extending portion similar to that illustrated in Fig. 9. It is secured to the sirew ti) and the associated post it; in the same as in the case of the structure of Fi previously d scribed. The main 'r 39 is providc with a lower section 3!)" which is shaped and supported in the same way as the section 381. The lower sections 38" and 3f are connected together by a transverse bar 80 whicn is sccured a its ends by bolts 80 provided with 7 nuts. The bolts pass through ends of the bar 80 and suitable p the lateral flanges ot the sections l 39 lVhen the nuts are screwed the bolts, the parts are firmly icld together and the bar St) the bars 1 l J c orace (3c The sections 338 and 38" ot tl nerlap ca -h other, as clearly il un ated in 1 Bolts 81, S2, 83 and St pass through slots in the overlapping portions or the sections 38 and 38" and by means of associating nuts the two sections are firmly held together. As shown, the bolts 81 and pass through one pair of registering slots, and the bolts 8?} and 8st through a second pair ol registeriimlols. By these pin and slot connections the member 38 may be extended or contracted as may be required wl cn set ting up the structure. Obviously, the slots through which these bolts pass may be varied in number and length and the number of bolts passing through each pair ot registered slots may be varied. The bracing member is similar in construction to the bracing member 3i", and its sections are adjustable ililze manner by In *ans oi? the similarly disosed bolts 85, S6. 87 and operating in he registering slots.

its clearly indi 'ated in Fig. 3. the bolt 83 serves also to secure the lower aid of the rod ll to the main brace :38. In like manner the bolt ST serves to secure the lower end of the similar rod 40 to the main brace 31). it the pointwhere the rods -10 and ll cross each other they are flattened out-and longitudina slots provided in the flattened positions. A bolt 89 provided with a cooperating nut 90 extends through the slots in the members it) and ll, and when the nut 9 is scre red d wn tight upon the bolt the rods 4-0 and ll are fi 'nily secured together.

Besides securing the rods 40 and -11 at their point of intersection. the bolt 8.) firmly secures to ether two coupling members 01 and 92. is clearly shown in F 10, coup p li ill)

till) ling member 91 is provided with a flattened portion which is apertured at 94L. The bolt 89 passes through the apertures 94- of the respective coupling members 91 and 92,

and the flattened portions 93 are pressed toether and held firml with the rods 40 and a, r 1

1' the colt 89 and nut 90. The coupling me hers 91 and 92 are each provided with a sleeve 95 which is interiorly threaded for the reception of the associated bracing rods 96 and 96". The upper rod 96 is threaded at its lower end into the upper coupling member 91 and i flattened at its upper end and down so as to provide a portion 97 a i will fit against the rear of the backing sec ion and to Win61 it is secured by any sui a lmeans, as by means of a bolt 98 provided with suitable nuts. The lower rod 96 is threaded at its upper end into the tubular portion of the lower coupling member 92, and its lower. end is turned down so as to extend in a vertical direction. Here it is se- LG the screw 63 and post 46 by sleeve the point where the rod 96 crosses averse bar 80, the latter 18 provided slot, and the former is flattened suf- V with an associated nut, is used to y secure the two members together. By reason of the threaded connections between the couplings 91 and 92 and the rods 96 and it is possible to provide a certain amount justmcnt of,.and tension in, the lateral members. When the nuts on the o s bolts are arooerl Y ti htened it will I l l a V 7 that a ver 1 substantial bFELClIlQ of any to provide an aperture for a bolt 98 e scope of our invention. We therefore do not wish to be limited to the exact details disclosed, but aim to cover all such altera tions and modifications as rightly come within the scope of our invention, by the terms of the appended claims.

id hat we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: V

1. in a structure of the class described, a main frame comprising a plurality .of spaced vertical angle irons having flanges lying in a common plane and other flanges forwardly outstanding from said plane, transverse members secured to said vertical members holding the same in spaced relation, tie rods extending through said outstanding tlanges, means on said rods for engaging ccrtain of said outstanding flanges to the structure, and a backing secured to said first mentioned flanges, said backing comprising separate sections of sheet metal having interleaved folds and overlapping portions and bolts extending through registered openings therein and cooperating with associated nuts to secure the parts together with a weather proof joint.

In a structure of the class described, a main display board frame having legs, a uitable support upon which the feet of said legs rest, two rearwardly and downwardly xtending mam braces secured at the1r upper ends to said main frame, suitable supports for the lowerends of said braces,

crossed brace rods connected at their opposite ends respectively to sald main braces, an

t lie-nod at Chicago, Illinois, this 2nd day of June, 192

-WILLIAM A. LEU. EDWARD E. LEU.

name, and central tie rods connected at.

uxiliary support rearward of said main 

